Peavey EVH Wolfgang Special Eddie Van Halen USA 1996

Peavey EVH Wolfgang Special — USA-Made First Era (1996-2004)

The Real Deal. Pre-Fender. Pre-EVH Brand. Pure Eddie.

This is not a reissue.

This is the original.

Before the EVH Wolfgang became a Fender product, before the "Wolfgang Special" name was recycled for import models, Eddie Van Halen personally designed and spec'd every detail of this instrument with Peavey in Leakesville, Mississippi. What you're looking at is a genuine piece of rock history — a first-era Wolfgang Special built during the golden years of EVH's collaboration with Peavey (1996–2004).

Why This One Matters

Table SpecDetailBody Solid basswood with a stunning quilted maple top — the "Special" was the only way to get this figured top FinishTransparent Red over quilted maple — deep, 3D flame that shifts in the light NeckBirdseye maple, bolt-on, compound radius 12"–16"Fretboard Maple with cream binding and black dot inlays Frets22 medium-jumbo Scale25.5"Nut Floyd Rose locking nut TunersGrover sealed tuners — rock-solid, USA-made BridgeOriginal Floyd Rose tremolo with brass sustain block PickupsPeavey EVH Wolfgang humbuckers — designed by Eddie, voiced for his exact toneElectronicsVolume (push/pull coil split) + 3-way toggle Hardware Chrome Weight~7.8–8.4 lbs — perfectly balanced, resonant Provenance & Authentication

• Serial Number: 02070555 — stamped on the back of the headstock
• Production: Leakesville, Mississippi, USA — Peavey's flagship USA facility
• Era: 1996–2004 (first series, pre-Fender acquisition of the Wolfgang name)
• Headstock: EVH Wolfgang Special logo on front, Eddie Van Halen's printed signature on back
• Patent Mark: "PATENT 388,117" — referencing the original Wolfgang headstock design

This is not a later import, not a Korean or Indonesian build. This is 100% USA-made during the years when Eddie still played Peavey Wolfgangs on stage and in the studio.

Condition

The quilted maple top is gorgeous — rich, deep figuring that photographs can't fully capture. The transparent red finish has aged beautifully, showing subtle checking and patina that only adds character. The birdseye maple neck is fast, smooth, and played-in — exactly what you'd expect from a well-loved but meticulously maintained instrument. All original hardware intact. The Floyd Rose still dives and returns to pitch like it should.The neck pocket is tight. The frets have life left. This guitar is ready to gig or collect. The Case Included: Original-era hardshell case — rectangular tweed-style, black interior. While not Peavey-branded, it is period-correct and has protected this instrument for decades. Fully functional latches, clean interior.

Why Collectors & Players Want This

The Peavey Wolfgang era represents Eddie Van Halen at his most hands-on with instrument design. These guitars were built to his exacting standards — the compound radius, the pickup voicing, the Floyd Rose setup, the weight and balance. When Peavey and EVH parted ways, Eddie took the Wolfgang design to Music Man (briefly) and then to Fender — but these Peavey originals remain the holy grail for serious EVH collectors.Prices on clean USA Peavey Wolfgangs have been climbing steadily as the market recognizes their historical significance and superior build quality compared to later offerings.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a player-grade vintage Wolfgang with collector credibility, this is it. If you're an EVH fan who wants the real first-era instrument — not a tribute, not a reissue, not an import — this is your chance.